Water injection system

ABSTRACT

A system for injecting water into the boost venturi of a carburetor for ultimate introduction into the combustion chambers of a gasoline type combustion engine. The water flow is metered through an orifice in the water supply conduit at a predetermined ratio to the fuel and is injected into the constricted passage of the boost venturi at a level corresponding to the level of fuel injection.

[ 1 Dec. 11, 1973 Mm m d PA WATER INJECTION SYSTEM [76] Inventor: AllenJ. Dore, 7535 Transit Rd.,

East Amherst, NY. 14051 Dec. 5, 1972 [22] Filed: Primary Examiner-Tim R.Miles [211 App! No; 312,285 Attorney-Conrad Christel et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A system for injecting water into the boost venturi of[52] U S Cl 261/18 A, 138/44, 123/25 R [51] Int. F02m 25/02 261/18 A;138/44;

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23 a carburetor for ultimate introduction into the com- /25 R bustionchambers of a gasoline type combustion engine. The water flow is meteredthrough an orifice in References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS the watersupply conduit at a predetermined ratio to the fuel and is injected intothe constricted passage of C a r AAX 2,611,592Anderson.......................... 2,624,558 1/1953Anderson.......................... 2,502,602 4/1950 Stresen-Reuther3,212,521 10/1965 WATER INJECTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to carburetors and, more particularly,to a water injection system incorporated in the carburetor of aninternal combustion engine.

The discharge of exhaust gases into the atmosphere by the everincreasing number of motor vehicles in use today, especially incongested urban areas, has significantly contributed to the pollutionand contamination of our atmosphere and has created environmentalproblems of increasing concern to the welfare of the general public.Accordingly, various regulatory agencies, including the federalgovernment, have promulgated and/or proposed pollution abatementlegislation to at least minimize contamination of our environment, suchlaws including limitations on the amount of motor vehicle exhaustpollutants permitted to enter into the atmosphere.

In an effort to comply with such laws and to reduce pollution from motorvehicles, many anti-pollution devices have been developed to control theexhaust emission from motor vehicles. While many of these recentlydeveloped anti-pollution devices have reduced pollution to some extent,they possess other disadvantages. For example, many of theseanti-pollution devices are relatively expensive and have only a shortuseful life requiring expensive maintenance and replacement of parts.Moreover, the use of many of these known antipollution systems reducesthe power output of the engine and causes a high rate of fuelconsumption. Also, these systems often cause valve burning resulting inearly deterioration and replacement thereof, adding to the costs ofmotor vehicle maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The carburetor water injection system of thepresent invention, as hereinafter described, obviates the abovedisadvantages by providing novel means for introducing water into thefuel mixture of an internal combustion engine for drastically reducingthe pollutants in the exhaust emission while improving engineperformance and reducing fuel consumption, the water injection systembeing simple in construction, low in costs, easy to install in existingengines, and which is rugged, durable .and reliable in'use.

The carburetor water injection system of this invention is characterizedby the provision of a water supply conduit having a nozzle tapped intothe carburetor boost venturi and provided with an outlet incommunication with and discharging into the stream of the fuelairmixture passing through the constricted passage of the boost venturi. Aconically-shaped, disc member having an axial orifice therethrough isprovided in the water supply conduit to meter the flow of water into theventuri passage at an optimum rate to effect retardation of combustionin the engine and the elimination of objectionable detonation to reducepollution in the exhaust gases and virtually eliminate carbon depositson the various engine components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a cross-sectionalview, with parts removed and others shown in elevation, of a waterinjection system of this invention used in conjunction with a carburetorof a combustion engine; and

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of anorifice member used in conjunction with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now indetail to the illustrative embodiment depicted in the drawings, there isshown in FIG. 1 a carburetor, generally designated 10, comprising anelongated, vertically extending casing 12 having an upper end or horn 14to which is attached the usual air filter (not shown). The lower end ofcasing 12 terminates in an outwardly extending annular flange 16 adaptedto mate with a complementary surface 18 formed at the upper end of anintake manifold 20. A fluid-tight gasket 21 is interposed between flangel6 and surface 18, the casing 12 being rigidly secured to intakemanifold 20 by suitable fasteners, such as bolts 22. The terms upper,lower, upwardly, downwardly and the like as used herein, are appliedonly for convenience of description with reference to FIG. 1, and arenot used in a limiting sense.

A choke valve 24, mounted on a rotatable shaft 25, is suitably mountedin the upper end or horn 14 of casing 12 by any suitable means (notshown) in a conventional manner for manual or automatic operation undercertain temperature conditions to vary the air flow therethrough as iswell known in the art. Casing 12 defines a passage 26 through which theair flows for admixture with the fuel. Casing l2 is provided with anintermediate section having an increased wall thickness provided with asmoothly tapering inner wall surface 28 defining a constricted passage30 to form the conventional main venturi, generally designated 32, forthe purpose of providing a zone of increased velocity and decreasedpressure in the usual manner. A throttle valve 34, mounted on arotatable shaft 35, is mounted at the lower end of casing 12 betweenmain venturi 32 and intake manifold 20 for controlling or metering theamount of the fuel-air mixture admitted to the intake manifold 20 anduntimately to the engine.

A boost venturi 36, having a smoothly tapering inner wall surface 38defining a smaller constricted passage 40, is mounted within constrictedpassage 30 of the main venturi 32. Boost venturi 36 can be supported inplace by various support arrangements, such as by means of the fuelnozzle, or by radially extending webs, or by a mounting bracket locatedwithin casing 12. In any event, boost venturi 36 is mountedsubstantially concentrically with main venturi 32 and provides a zone ofgreater velocity and lesser pressure than that provided by constriction30 of main venturi 32.

The fuel feeding means includes a fuel bowl or receptacle 44, formedintegral with casing 12 and connected by means of a conduit 46 and asuitable fuel pump (not shown) to a suitable source of fuel, such asgasoline for example, also not shown. Liquid fuel is maintained at asubstantially constant elevation in bowl 44 by means of a float 48having a bracket 50 affixed thereto. Bracket 50 is mounted for pivotalmovement about a pin 52 and carries a needle valve 54 movable in ahousing 55 for engagement against its seat to interrupt the admission offuel into bowl 44 when the fuel in such bowl 44 reaches a predeterminedlevel.

A fuel nozzle 56 is mounted in the wall of main venturi 32 and extendsfrom bowl 44 through and into boost venturi 36. An orifice 58 isprovided in the inlet end of nozzle 56, which is in communication withthe liquid fuel in bowl 44. The discharge or outlet end of nozzle 56 islocated within constricted passage 40.

During operation of the engine, air flowing downwardly through passage26 is forced to flow through constricted passage 40 of boost venturi 36at an increased velocity and consequent reduction in pressure towithdraw fuel from bowl 44 through nozzle 56 into passage 40 foradmixture with the air flowing therethrough and subsequent introductioninto the engine via intake manifold 20 in a manner well known in theart. The total amount of fuel and air fed to the engine, whichdetermines the speed and output of the engine, is controlled by throttlevalve 34. When valve 34 is entirely opened, the engine runs at itsmaximum speed and power output, the speed and power output decreasing asthrottle valve 34 is activated toward a closed position.

It should be understood that the carburetor construction hereinabovedescribed is conventional and typical of the general type of carburetorconstruction with which the instant invention is concerned. In practice,the carburetor can vary widely in details of construction withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for injectingwater or water vapor into the fuel intake at a controlled rate. Suchmeans include a water supply reservoir or tank 60 suitably mounted inthe engine compartment of a motor vehicle. Tank 60 preferably is formedof a durable plastic material and has a capacity of from approximatelyone-half to three gallons of water. Tank 60 supplies water through aconduit 62 to a flow control apparatus, generally designated 64,comprising a water bowl or receptacle 66 having a float 68 therein. Abracket 70 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to float 68. Bracket70 is mounted for pivotal movement about a pin 72 for actuating anddepressing a needle valve plunger 74 in a valve housing 76 against itsseat to interrupt the flow of water into receptacle 66 when the watertherein reaches a predetermined level. Thus, water is maintained at asubstantially constant level in receptacle 66.

A flexible conduit 80 is slip fitted at one end thereof over the end ofan outlet fitting 82 provided at the lower end of receptacle 66. Conduit80 preferably is formed of a flexible, transparent plastic material.However, conduit 80 can be formed of any other suitable flexible tubing,as desired. The other end of conduit 80 is fitted over one end of awater injection nozzle 84 mounted in the wall of main venturi 32 andprojecting into boost venturi 36. Nozzle 84 preferably is fitted intoaligned bores 86 and 88 drilled into the boost and main venturi walls,respectively, and adhesively secured in place therein. The outlet end ofwater injection nozzle 84 is located within constricted passage 40 ofboost venturi 36 at substantially the same level as the outlet of fuelnozzle 56.

A tubular insert 90 is mounted within conduit 80 with a friction fit andis provided with an integral, conically shaped disc member 92 having acentral orifice 94 therein for metering the flow of water to nozzle 84.The size of orifice 94 determines the flow of water into the fuel intakeand can vary, as dictated by the specific requirements of the enginewith which the system is associated. It has been found that a preferredfuel-water ratio in most gasoline-type combustion engines is forty toone, i.e., 40 parts fuel to one part water. However, the ratio can vary,as desired or dictated by the specific engine requirements, within thepurview of this invention.

The concavity of the conically-shaped disc member 92 is important inreducing turbulence adjacent orifice 94 and assisting in the smooth flowof water therethrough. Also, the concavity of disc member 92 serves toeliminate the build up or accumulation of particles adjacent the smallsized orifice 94 to prevent clogging thereof. For optimum results,orifice 94 should be located within about 3 inches from carburetorcasing 12.

All the components of the water injection system of the invention,including nozzle 84, conduit 80, insert 90 and disc member 92 preferablyare formed of a durable plastic material to resist corrosion andoxidation. Also, these components are relatively small to conservespace. For example, conduit can have a 5/32 inch diameter with inserthaving a 5/32 inch outside diameter and a disc wall thickness of 0.02inches. The inherent resiliency of the plastic material of conduit 80will yield and stretch, enabling insert 90 to be forcibly insertedtherein and thereafter held in place by friction. The above dimensionsare exemplary only, it being understood that they may vary as dictatedby the specific application.

The mode of operation is as follows:

Upon starting the engine, the air passing downardly through constrictedpassage 40 of boost venturi 36 at an increased velocity and reducedpressure is effective to withdraw water from receptacle 66 throughconduit 80, orifice 94 and nozzle 84. The water is atomized and injectedinto passage 40 along with the fuel-air mixture for ultimateintroduction into the engine conbustion chambers via intake manifold 20,the amount of water entering the combustion chambers being controlled bythrottle valve 34 and proportioned to the fuel by means of orifice 94.

A significant feature of this invention is introducing the'water intothe constricted passage 40 of boost venturi 36, preferably atapproximately the same level as the fuel is injected thereinto, in orderto obtain optimum atomization or vaporization of the water. Introducingthe water at other levels or locations above or below passage 40adversely affects proper water atomization due to the turbulencegenerated adjacent opposite ends of boost venturi 36 and main venturi32.

The water does not react or intermix with the fuel in the combustionchambers, but is effective to retard combustion by causing the fuel toburn at a lower rate of speed. Moreover, the water tends to cool theengine, prolonging the useful life thereof and enabling the timing to beadvanced significantly for additional power and reduced fuel consumptionwithout attendant preignition or undesirable detonation. It has beenfound that the timing can be advanced as much as 12 beyond factoryspecifications without adverse detonation.

A significant advantage residing in the water injection system of thisinvention is that the gases evolved during combustion and which form theexhaust emission discharged into the atmosphere contain only slight ortolerable amounts of noxious pollutants. Also, the water tends tomaintain the engine clean and eliminates carbon deposits on the variousengine components such as the valves, spark plugs, ignition points, etc.to prolong the useful life thereof and drastically reduce maintenancecosts. When the system is installed in used engines, it is effective topositively remove pre-existing carbon deposits from the various enginecomponents.

The water injection system of the present invention was installed in ahigh performance engine of a 1967 Pontiac passenger vehicle havingapproximately 65,000 miles of usage. At the time the system wasinstalled, the engine was noticeably sluggish. After approximately 8,000miles of operation, tests were conducted to determine the exhaustemission level and the general condition of the engine. One such test isdesigned to determine the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide content in theexhaust gases through a standard infrared exhaust gas analysis. Theresults of the tests were as follows:

' CARBON MONOXIDE HYDROCARBONS Exhaust emission levels of up to 400 PPMhydrocarbons and 3 percent carbon monoxide content are considered safeunder the standards prescribed by the above test. The results of theabove tests indicate that the water injection system of this inventionis effective to materially reduce the noxious contaminants or pollutantsin motor vehicle exhaust emissions well below tolerable levels.Moreover, it was found that the performance of the engine improvedconsiderably without repairs or alterations during the 8,000 milesoperation with the use of less expensive, low-lead fuels during thisperiod. Furthermore, the engine was noticeably cleaner and there was noindication of any carbon deposits on any of the engine components,resulting in a longer useful life of the exhaust system, spark plugs,ignition points, condenser, wires and coil.

As a result of this invention, a simple and inexpensive water injectionsystem, incorporated in the carburetor of a motor vehicle combustionengine, is provided for drastically reducing the amount'of harmfulpollutants contained in the exhaust gases of motor vehicles whileimproving engine performance. This system is effective in cooling theengine and virtually eliminates carbon deposits otherwise commonly foundon the various components of a conventional engine to minimize componentrepair and replacement and prolong the useful life of such components,thus appreciably reducing maintenance costs. Also, the cheaper, lowoctane rated-low lead fuels can be utilized, even in high-ratiocompression engines, without consequent detonation or knocking" torealize low fuel consumption and further reduce costs.

The water injection system of the present invention can be readilyinstalled in the engine compartment of new motor vehicles and/or thecomponents forming the system can be provided in a relatively compactand inexpensive kit form for easy installation in used or existing motorvehicles. The system is operative for the life of the motor vehicle withlittle or no service except for adding water to tank 60. Should thewater be completely consumed or otherwise exhausted and not replenishedin the system through either inadvertance or neglect, the engine willnot be damaged in any way and will perform in a conventional manner.

A preferred embodiment of this invention having been disclosed indetail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way ofillustration only.

I claim:

1. A system for injecting water into a carburetor having a main venturiand a secondary venturi positioned within the main venturi and a fuelnozzle having an outlet communicating with the restricted passage ofsaid secondary venturi comprising: a tank for containing water, a waternozzle mounted in said secondary venturi and having an outlet incommunication with said restricted passage at substantially the level ofsaid fuel nozzle outlet, conduit means connecting said tank to saidwater nozzle for supplying water thereto, said conduit means having anorifice for metering the rate of water flow therethrough and into saidnozzle, control means in said conduit means for controlling the flow ofwater to said water nozzle, an insert mounted in said conduit meansdownstream of said control means, said insert comprising an elongatedtubular body and a conically shaped disc extending transversely of saidbody and formed integral therewith, said disc being locatedapproximately centrally of said tubular body and inclined rearwardly inthe direction of water flow, said disc having a central opening definingsaid orifice, said water nozzle, said insert and said conduit meansbeing formed of a corrision resistant plastic material.

2. In a carburetor comprising a casing having an elongated passage, aportion of said passage having a restricted throat portion defining afirst venturi, a boost venturi mounted within said restricted throatportion and defining a restricted passage for the flow of airtherethrough, a fuel nozzle projecting into said restricted passage andhaving an outlet for introducing fuel thereinto, the improvementcomprising: means for injecting water into said carburetor, said waterinjecting means comprising a water nozzle projecting into saidrestricted passage and having an outlet in communication with saidrestricted passage at substantially the same level as said fuel nozzleoutlet, a tank for containing water, conduit means connecting said tankto said water nozzle, an insert mounted in said conduit means, saidinsert comprising a tubular body and a conically shaped disc extendingtransversely of said body and inclined rearwardlyin the direction ofwater flow, said disc being located substantially centrally of saidtubular body and formed integral therewith, and said disc having acentral opening therein defining an orifice for metering the rate ofwater flow introduced into said restricted passage of said boostventuri.

3. A carburetor according to claim 2 including means in said conduitmeans for controlling the flow of water to said water nozzle, saidcontrol means interrupting the flow of water to said water nozzle uponthe termination of air flow through said restricted passage.

4. A carburetor according to claim 2 wherein said water nozzle, saidconduit means and said insert is formed of a plastic material.

i l i 4

1. A system for injecting water into a carburetor having a main venturiand a secondary venturi positioned within the main venturi and a fuelnozzle having an outlet communicating with the restricted passage ofsaid secondary venturi comprising: a tank for containing water, a waternozzle mounted in said secondary venturi and having an outlet incommunication with said restricted passage at substantially the level ofsaid fuel nozzle outlet, conduit means connecting said tank to saidwater nozzle for supplying water thereto, said conduit means having anorifice for metering the rate of water flow therethrough and into saidnozzle, control means in said conduit means for controlling the flow ofwater to said water nozzle, an insert mounted in said conduit meansdownstream of said control means, said insert comprising an elongatedtubular body and a conically shaped disc extending transversely of saidbody and formed integral therewith, said disc being locatedapproximately centrally of said tubular body and inclined rearwardly inthe direction of water flow, said disc having a central opening definingsaid orifice, said water nozzle, said insert and said conduit meansbeing formed of a corrision resistant plastic material.
 2. In acarburetor comprising a casing having an elongated passage, a portion ofsaid passage having a restricted throat portion defining a firstventuri, a boost venturi mounted within said restricted throat portionand defining a restricted passage for the flow of air therethrough, afuel nozzle projecting into said restricted passage and having an outletfor introducing fuel thereinto, the improvement comprising: means forinjecting water into said carburetor, said water injecting meanscomprising a water nozzle projecting into said restricted passage andhaving an outlet in communication with said restricted passage atsubstantially the same level as said fuel nozzle outlet, a tank forcontaining water, conduit means connecting said tank to said waternozzlE, an insert mounted in said conduit means, said insert comprisinga tubular body and a conically shaped disc extending transversely ofsaid body and inclined rearwardly in the direction of water flow, saiddisc being located substantially centrally of said tubular body andformed integral therewith, and said disc having a central openingtherein defining an orifice for metering the rate of water flowintroduced into said restricted passage of said boost venturi.
 3. Acarburetor according to claim 2 including means in said conduit meansfor controlling the flow of water to said water nozzle, said controlmeans interrupting the flow of water to said water nozzle upon thetermination of air flow through said restricted passage.
 4. A carburetoraccording to claim 2 wherein said water nozzle, said conduit means andsaid insert is formed of a plastic material.